Catnip oil (Nepeta cataria essential oil) is gaining popularity for its unique natural properties — especially its effect on cats and its use in aromatherapy and repellents. However, most “catnip oils” sold in the market today are not genuine. The Reality -------------- Laboratory GC–MS (Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry) analyses show that many samples marketed as “Catnip Oil” are actually eucalyptus or cineole-based oils. These fake products are dominated by Eucalyptol (1,8-Cineole) — a compound typical of Eucalyptus globulus, Cajeput, or Rosemary oils — and contain no trace of Nepetalactone, the true active component of catnip oil. If the “Catnip Oil” you purchased costs ₹400–₹800 per 10 mL, it is almost certainly not genuine.Authentic catnip oil — rich in Nepetalactone — is rare, expensive, and derived by steam distillation of Nepeta cataria flowers and leaves. How to Verify Authenticity ------------------------------- Only GC–MS testing can conclusively confirm the presence of...
Ensuring the reliability, durability, and performance of materials has become essential across industries such as manufacturing, electronics, automotive, aerospace, polymers, and research. Whether it’s identifying unexpected failures or validating the composition of critical components, advanced analytical tools play a major role in maintaining high standards. Among these tools, SEM-EDX (Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis) stands out as one of the most powerful techniques for understanding material behavior at microscopic and elemental levels. SEM-EDX combines two advanced technologies—high-resolution imaging and elemental analysis—to give a complete picture of a material’s surface characteristics and chemical composition. SEM provides magnified images of surface structures, revealing cracks, voids, corrosion patterns, inclusions, and manufacturing defects that are impossible to spot with the naked eye. At the same time, EDX identifies the elements pre...